S. Rubin - 07/13/98 23:27:32 My URL:http://soeweb.syr.edu/systemschange/

Comments: Here is a link to: The New York Partnership for Statewide Systems Change 2000. I found some articles by Dr. Sapon-Shevin referenced here. The taxpayers paid for a consultation with her this past year. She is involved with this endeavor. They have an extensive bibliography or us avid readers.

A concerned citizen of NY - 06/30/98 18:24:18 My Email:noncompny@hotmail.com

Comments: Has anyone in NY- land filed a valid non-compliance complaint with the state and nothing was done? Please send email to the above address so we can compare notes please.

E. Istorico - 06/27/98 21:33:09

Comments: The inclusion model discussed in the article sounds great. By developing programs without support does not benefit any child. Self-contained programs are exclusionary, however, resource room programs is supplementary aid to the student are not exclusio ary. Of course, a self-contained setting may be the appropriate placement for a child which would be determined at a CSE meeting. Some districts, under the guise of inclusion, eliminate the supports for classified students. If you check out the NYSUT ink, there are other articles which states some district are ignoring the entire IEP process by manipulating the new guidelines to suit their own purposes. The new guideline do not supplant the law which currently exist.

A parent - 06/26/98 23:19:49

Comments: That inclusion model sounds about right. Isn't that the model that most successful districts are using? I wonder what they are doing about the students that can not read or write the assignments?

- 06/25/98 03:08:41 My URL:http://www.nysut.org/dept/nyt/980622specialed.html

Comments: Check out this article if you want to know the kinds of supports are needed for a successful inclusion model. Check back here and leave comments about it.

An Advocate for years - 06/19/98 14:04:14

Comments: It never ceases to amaze me, the level of arrogrance by some district administrative staff. What eventually happens is that level of arrogrance blinds them to parents' determination to demand IDEA guideline be followed. Most district never dream that p rent will get fed up of the double talk and will no longer tolerate the blatant lies. Usually the lies include: the state said we have to do whatever, it is not our policy, you (the Parent) have to get permission from the state, that is not how it is do e here, the parents misunderstood what we were saying, let me check with my boss--later the answer is no my boss said I can't do that, etc... the list is endless of the variety of lies and excuses districts use on parents. Don't be fool folks--the admini tration knows what the guidelines are and if they choose not to follow them because of their arrogrance, well too bad on them when they are caught. Keep advocating for your children as well as others because the district won't. Oh, remember it cost the istrict money everytime they have a due process hearing.

- 06/19/98 11:00:18

Comments: I didn't think parents needed a district's permission to advocate for children, create parent organizations, establish a website, file a non-compliance complaint, attend conferences on advocacy training, hire a lawyer, disagree with adminstrative decision , or demand answers from those whose salaries our tax dollars pay for. Most districts assume that is what is suppose to happen, however, we all know they are suppose to account to us.

E. Istorico - 06/18/98 14:22:10

Comments: How many times have parents been reminded we are our children's only advocates. Since some of us have stepped into that role, we have become unpopular with some. The IDEA and NYS REGS gives me the right to advocate for my child. If people consider parent who advocate "Crack Pot" imagine what our children would call us if we didn't--then how do we look ourselves in the mirror knowing we could have done more but were paralyzed by fear of retaliation?

A webcommittee member - 06/18/98 11:35:03

Comments: Well said!!!! When is the meeting going to be? If anyone has any of the data, please share it with us. Send a link via URL: to the article or email it. We can start a catagory on best practices and successful inclusion models.

- 06/18/98 01:56:08

Comments: Doesn't it seem time for the BOE and administration to sit down with parents and have an open discussion about the services that are going to provided to special ed students in this district? Perhaps if parents were supplied with some of the hard data ab ut the new programs that are going to be implemented they would be more receptive. Are there any programs out there that could serve as models to explain why push-in services are preferable to the more traditional pull-out programs? What exactly do thes successful programs look like? What is the ratio of students to teachers? Do these programs ever allow for seperate small group instruction? What are the yardsticks used to measure their successfulness? One of the thing s that frustrates me is that t ere are too many educators willing to jump on the latest bandwagon that pulls up (a la` whole language) without considering the consequences. Or perhaps the consequences have been considered and they are not being effectively communicated to the communit at large. It is easy to dismiss the grumblings of a few "crack-pots", but how long can the district dismiss the legitimate concerns of many parents that do not see the needs of their children being met. And now that special ed programs have broken out f their traditional four walls, how long will it be until the parents of non-disabled children and even the gifted students realize that their children's educations are impacted by what is going on. The sooner everyone sits down and works out their diffe ences, the sooner everyone can get back to the business of educating our children.

E. Istorico - 06/16/98 21:24:00

Comments: In defense of one of the parent who is part of the Webcommittee and receiving unwarranted crucifixion, I think it is necessary to set the record straight. The web site was designed to give parents access to needed information. The web site replaces the m ny parking lot conferences which at times were the only opportunities parents could gather to seek information and get a handle on the various special education obstacles. If there are people who believe that parents were satisfied with their children's ducation, you are sadly mistaken. This site will give insight into the many concerns within a district and allow all of us to work together for the betterment of all children. It is imperative to know the facts because innuendo and gossip destroys a pe sons reputation, and can damage the children involved. Remember, no one questioned the tactics of all the parents who sought to remove an administrator.

- 06/16/98 01:35:09

Comments:

maegen salmon - 06/16/98 01:29:08

Comments:

Jeff Karg of New City - 06/11/98 23:12:21 My URL:http://jkarg39@aol.com

Comments: Need Videos of Regents Prep course that appeared on PBS. Can make copies. Anyone Taped it?

A parent - 06/11/98 16:45:04

Comments: I have often wondered why the Board of Education never wants to hear from special ed. parents, I guess it is because they think 1) we are LD like some of our children and couldn't hold an intelligent conversation 2)our children cost the district too much oney to educated 3)since our children are not AP students their scores only make the district look bad. If my child need an AP class, regardless of the head count, she would get it. I am saddened that the district hasn't reached out to us to at least he r what we have to say. My daughter has an incredible IQ and with the appropriate services would hold her own with the other "normal" students. If they are reading this I would hope they would contact us for an intelligent discussion with the people who now our children best. We have some insightful ideas--Try listening.

- 06/10/98 20:03:45

Comments: Sooner or later the district will comply with the IDEA/STATE REGS. Remember it cost the district money when parents go to impartial hearings. Maybe all the parents should be rejecting their IEP's and request hearings.

Sam & Geralyn DiPaola - 06/07/98 17:15:41 My Email:sealny@juno.com

Comments: We have formed a not-for-profit organization called Special Education Advocates under the Law (SEAL) in Upstate New York to help parents and their children to understand Special Education classifications and the laws that pertain to them. We have a quart rly newsletter and would like to include you site in ourlistings. Please let us know if there are any restrictions to listing your site in that newsletter. Thanks.

E. Istorico - 06/07/98 03:21:55

Comments: Commission Mill's varies Monthly Reports advocates partnerships between parents and districts. He strongly urges districts to set up Parent Advisory Panels. Anyone from our district heard about such panels? Maybe they are looking into it.

- 06/07/98 02:45:06

Comments: I thought the parent members purpose was to advocate for the child. If the parent members, who are supposed to be trained, advocated there wouldn't be any problems with IDEA violations. What do other parents think?

- 06/06/98 02:27:14

Comments: For all of those parents who already attended their annual reviews: Do you really understand what your child's program actually looks like? Do you really know how much support your child will be getting next year? If you walked out of your meeting unsure of the program...ASK QUESTIONS!!! With all of the changes in requirements for high school graduation, you need to know if your child is getting the help he/she needs to pass these regents exams. If students are not working on improving basic ski ls at an early age, by the time they get to high school it will be too late.

To the father - 06/05/98 23:17:34

Comments: Why don't you send mail to the web committee and that person with the tape will contact you. Just click next to the mailbox icon. I was at the meetings too. I agree it is strange what is going on. I have never seen anything like this before and I have bee around and I bet you haven't either. We need to get together.

A father - 06/05/98 22:39:01

Comments: I attended our son's IEP meeting and later learn it was illegal for the CSE chair to have the IEP already completed. There was a parent at the Middle School meeting on 2/19/98 who stated that the chedule cannot dictate what the IEP's read. I did not und rstand what she was talking about that night but since I have spoken to LDA, Student Advocacy, The Orton Foundation and an attorney now I see quite clearly the violation of IDEA. Is this district for real. Do they actually think they can continue to get away with this nonsense. Who is supposed to be in charge of making sure the laws are followed? I have a daughter in regular ed. and I can't imagine the district doing anything illegal when it comes to that population. I guess they think because there is a small minority of clas ified students who will know. Well guess what--we do, state ed., student advocacy, LDA, and eventually the Feds. If the parent who was at that meeting reads this comment let me know who you are so I can have a long chat with you. I would like to hear the tape you made of that meeting.

karen - 06/05/98 12:59:54

Comments: I am a parent of a regular ed student, I would in no way put up with the garbage that special ed parents have to endure. Perhaps a class action would ensure that the administrators would follow the guideline which protect your children. In addition, it is too bad that some very dedicated teachers cannot voice their concerns without the fear of serious repercussions. The last time I check I was living in the United States of American where there is a guarantee of freedom of speech--time to get picket s gn out.

A second grade parent - 06/05/98 01:09:14

Comments: Well said Eileen! I couldn't have said it better. I also expect my school district to respect my childs rights under IDEA,Part 200, ADA, 504. I don't like to have to spend all my free-time(I have none) or time I could be spending with my family or being gainfully employed trying to convince administrators that my child has these rights. I wouldn't need to go through all this hassle if my child as being properly educated.

E. Istorico - 06/05/98 00:15:18

Comments: Thank you for your words of encouragement. All we have ever hoped for was: an equal partnership with the district,to be part of the shared decisionmaking,and most importantly, an honest dialogue. Without these ingredients our children will suffer.

- 06/04/98 01:52:23

Comments: Congratulations to all parents who have mustered the courage to question the actions of the Nanuet School District. This website and other efforts show that you do take your children's futures seriously. However things might turn out, you can take pride in the fact that you did all you could to make sure that the best possible education was provided for your children. You have started many people thinking about the way that they participate in the educational process. Parents know their children best a d should be treated as equal partners by educators.

- 06/03/98 03:15:20

Comments: I am seriously concerned that the school district is a little too eager to by-pass students' literacy problems through technology and other means. Job one for any school is the TEACHING of reading. My kid can get information in any subject area once he as the tools to access it. We are sometimes lulled into a false sense of security when we are told that our children can get the content on a cassette tape. Are job applications taped? How about the classifieds in the local newspaper? Have you ever tr ed to locate a specific section of tape on your own video tape machine? Now imagine that you must find out what the Emancipation Proclamation is on a tape of a 350 page textbook. Have you ever heard any of these wonderful books on tape? I can tell you t at James Earl Jones or Charleton Heston was not hired to record a text book on high school physics. How much information could you aquire from this web site if you were illiterate? My point is that we cannot overestimate the importance of direct readin instruction. It seems that often times scheduling music lessons or art classes is of more concern to administrators than compensatory reading classes for students who are performing well below expected levels. Don't get me wrong... I believe that inst uction in the arts and physical education is important in the over- all development of an educated society, I just think that literacy too often gets the short end of the stick. I couldn't agree with the "local physician" more. How many of our children w ll be able to support themselves as ballplayers or opera singers. Please don't tell me my child can't get more than a half hour of critical reading instruction in a day because that's all that can be fit into the schedule. And please.... don't count who e language as reading instruction. It didn't teach him how to read or write for the last five years, I have to believe it's not going to work now.

Linda Crawford - 06/01/98 22:41:57 My Email:llindacrawford@hotmail.com

Comments: I am a member of the Learning Disabilities Assoc. of Alberta - Calgary Chapter and am very involved with their initiatives for the Calgary area and the province. I am looking for websites for parents of LD children/youth and LD adults, to place in our up oming fall newsletter. Pleased to come across this site.

- 06/01/98 10:16:50

Comments: I agree with the person below!!! Misguided philosophy and scheduling constraint. Your right. You must mean some of the inclusion rheteoric. It sounds nice on paper but it doesn't work as specified without the supports in place. Then they blame the victims. I would love to have my children properly included as the consultants talk about. It can b done. It is done properly in a very few places in the Northeast with a lot of supports and assistive technologies for some kids. My district is definitely not doing as specified, rather, they are sabotaging the process by dumping all of the kids with lea ning disabilities in one class with an untrained regular ed teacher who has become understandably very frustrated and is taking it out on the class. She was not given any of the supports that need to be in place and this has guaranteed failure.

- 06/01/98 03:09:41

Comments: Baba - While I do agree that the motivation and support for learning should come from the home, you must understand that students and their families do not choose disability. Before special educational services were offered to provide a free and appropriate pub ic education to all, many learning disabled students were considered slow or, more often, lazy. The victim was blamed. Emotionality entered the scenario as the student became more frustrated and more turned off to school. I think that is what most of t e parents who contribute to this bulletin board want to avoid. Almost thirty years ago educators and lawmakers determined that standard educational practices were not sufficient to provide for the needs of all students. There are those again in the educ tional community who would like to return to the "good ole days" of the one room schoolhouse. Well, it didn't work then (ie. drop-out rates, etc.), and it is doubtful that it can work now. The critical issue today is how radically diffierent the world m rketplace has become. Thirty years ago an individual might drop out of school at 16 and still expect to make a living without critical reading and writing skills. That possibility is greatly diminished today. Many people fought long and hard to guaran ee that handicapped individuals would receive an education. We cannot allow that guarantee to be erroded by either misguided philosophies or scheduling constraints.

Deirdre - 05/30/98 16:45:25

Comments: I have watched my sister struggle for years with the district to get them to recognize that my nephew had a problem. I have witnessed hours of time being spent on second grade homeword where the child just didn't get it and it wasn't because of a lack of effort on the part of the parent or the child. I have witnessed her in tears because the experts assumed she couldn't possibly know as much as them. Although she may not have had the education lingo,her instinct told her something was amiss. She sought ndependent tutoring and edcational evaluation to contradict the "experts"--guess what...she was right. However, the district stone walled her at every turn. They denied access to records or pretended they just never existed. There are wonderful teachers who have advised her and guided her along the way. She has gained insight into the daily struggle of those with disabilities and along that road has learned all about district double talk and deceit, and even outright lies. I am glad this website has be n established--parents who are fighting like heck to get the appropriate service need to be listened to. The district needs to realize that IDEA was established to protect the rights of children who were not receiving a Fair Appropriate Public Education. Futhermore, the IEP is supposed to ensure the individual needs of the child determines the service,program, or placement. A schedule, staffing, or budgetary issues are secondary--why do administrators choose to ignore this law? If everyone followed the guidelines there wouldn't be lawsuits or impartial hearings. Good luck to all of you.

E. Istorico - 05/30/98 12:52:44

Comments: Baba, I agree with most of what you stated. I cannot speak for any other parent;however, I have invested a trememdous amount of time, energy, and money to ensure my child gets the support when he is not in school. My expectations from educators is nothin less than what they expect of me as a parent. Thanks Baba for your insightful comments!

Local Physician - 05/30/98 11:35:15

Comments: Although this website is aimed primarily at the parents of children with learning disabilities, by no means is this an exclusive site and all are invited to view it. Learning disabilities are so prevalent (between 5 and 20% of the population depending on he criteria cutoff) that it is inevitable that you at least know someone who is learning disabled and might even be subtly learning disabled yourself! Learning disabilities are now known to have a biological basis in many cases and have a wide range of se erity. In many cases, these neurologic variations are inherited. Mild cases are often compensated for without the student, and later, adult even being aware of the deficit which will only be exposed and defined through rigorous testing. The other side of learning disabilities comes from the demand society makes on its members. Dyslexia and other neurologic variations that make it difficult to learn how to read do not present a problem in preliterate society. The reality in this country and the rest of the industrialized world is that in order to have a reasonable chance at making a good living and being a successful, productive, taxpaying citizen, there are certain basic skills one needs to have in order to c mpete. These include solid reading, writing, math, and social skills. Without these skills, doors to opportunities are slammed shut. We cannot all be sports stars and movie actors. Most of us have to be able to have a steady job that requires the aforemen ioned skills. Dispite these truths that should seem self-evident, there is strong resistence from the public education system when it comes to investing sufficient extra help and resources to ensure that kids with learning disabilities get the necessary basic skills - hich in New York State come down to being able to pass the State Regents Exam in order to get a high school diploma that is worth anything. You are right when you mention parent involvement as a critical element of a child's academic success. Every parent of a learning disabled child who reads this site is already involved and has already experienced the bitter experience of discrimination to at least some extent. Brown vs the Board of Education wasn't meant just for African-American folks, that decision and its principles applies to all US citizens, and is particularly applicable to disabled people and their families who face similar issues o institutional discrimination today. This website is a tool of empowerment to help parents of the disabled, in particular-learning disabled, get the resources they need in the medical, educational, and legal arenas to help their kids get the skills they need before they are passed through th public education system without them, or before they drop out of the system in frustration and get into trouble which the rest of the taxpayers will end up paying for. As parents of learning disabled children, we want to ensure that our kids have the same opportunities to reach their full potential as do the parents of "normal" children, and we are willing to fight to get what we want. As taxpayers, we think that our tax dollars are better invested up front in making sure that every kid has all the basic skills needed to succeed in this society, rather going cheap in the short run and paying through the nose later for increased police, ail, court, drug rehab, welfare, etc. to address the consequences.

1997 grad - 05/30/98 05:05:06

Comments: I'm not a parent so maybe I shouldn't even be looking at this site but I just wanted you all to see the school system throuh my eyes (someone who has actually been through it). Yeah, the school has some bad classes, some teachers who are just to old to be teaching, and maybe some kids do slip through the system, but the way I see it is: If you want to do the work, if you want to succeed, you can. Nobody in that school, or any other public school for that matter, is going to hold a shild by the hand and mak him/her work, but if that child wants to learn, and wants to succeed, they can. Education isnt just about books, teachers, and classrooms, it starts in the home. If you want your shild to succeed in Nanuet, you have to make sure that they no that you suc eed. Ill be checkin this site some more- if you parents out there have any ?'s or comments and want to ask a recent student-go ahead-i'll respond. -Baba

- 05/29/98 22:47:01

Comments: This is a great site. Nanuet is a great district.

- 05/28/98 16:41:44

Comments:

Read This!! - 05/28/98 01:44:17 My URL:http://thearc.org/ga/idea97.html

Comments: The Arc has published this regarding IDEA and wants it dispersed.

- 05/28/98 01:30:15 My URL:http://www.dredf.org

Comments: Thank-you for sharing this site with us.

An anger parent - 05/27/98 22:14:50

Comments: I have a child in the elementary school--this child has regressed so much because of the inadequate service and the staff who are asked to do the impossible. I wish the Board of Ed. would stop looking down their noses at the parent of "those kids"(how ma y times have I heard this lovely line)and wake up and start listening to us. I am sick of hearing that the district wants a partnership with us--of course it is only when we are needed to do something for them--like raise money. About two years ago a par nt at a PS WE CAN meeting ask the superintendent and the CSE chairperson for a parent panel--typical answer--"Great idea, we'll look into it." Tell us is two years long enough to "look into it." I guess the only way the district will start listening to us is when there is a CLASS ACTION SUIT. The special education program is a disaster!!!!!!!

- 05/27/98 17:03:27

Comments: Here are two sites that will give you ideas about what other parents in other states are up to. www.fcsn.org/peer/home.htm www.dredf.org

John C. - 05/26/98 15:05:56

Comments: I finally found the site. It seems there is a trememdous negative press regarding this site. After carefully looking through the various links it seems the reason there is such bad press is because the parents will be armed with the necessary informatio to ensure their children will get the appropriate services. Knowledge is power which the district does not want the parents to have. Keep up the good work!

- 05/23/98 02:08:29

Comments: Thanks for the 5/01/98 link to the NYSUT article on inclusion. Everyone should read it to see the extent of support that a disabled child needs to be successful (socially and emotionallly, anyway) in the mainstream.

- 05/23/98 02:02:58 My URL:http://inet.ed.gov/updates/PresEDPlan/part4.html

Comments: President Clinton's Reading Initatives.

- 05/23/98 01:57:11 My URL:http://www.cqc.state.ny.us/makcom.pdf

Comments: I fond this a useful brochure.

A concerned parent - 05/22/98 22:30:58

Comments: This is to the person with the child that is three years behind in reading. In 1998 there is no reason why your child can’t learn how to read. 1. I would get a good reading evaluation at a good hospital-based center. You can use your health insurance or ask your district to cover the expense. You can get a free evaluation at Yale from the dyslexia clinic if your child is not on medication tha they cannot stop temporarily. 2. You always have the choice of the evaluator. Pick the best. 3. You are not alone, Commissioner Mills, President Clinton, want your child to read. Everyone in the country is talking about this. Social Promotions are being discouraged. NYC has stopped them. I’ll give you some reading material. 4. Luckily there a many good reading programs out there. You have to find out why your child is not reading at grade level by an expert and then go after the reading program. If your child has a reading disability, I.D.E.A. requires a program that provides the student an opportunity to achieve more than "varied and limited progress". Even if they don’t there must be a reason why he/she is so far behind. You need to look at y ur IEP carefully. It must meet the needs of your child. You need to know what your child’s needs are first. This is really under your control. You must consent to your program. You always have the opportunity to reject your child’s IEP and reconvene the EAM. I hope this was helpful.

- 05/22/98 17:20:06

Comments: Can someone please explain to me how my child can be three years behind in reading and only be provided with one 36 minute of appropriate reading instruction per day in the middle school while my friend's child is presently getting a double period of mat instruction so he can pass the Regents ONE YEAR EARLY?

- 05/22/98 02:11:40

Comments:

E. Istorio - 05/21/98 00:32:38

Comments: Heard Dr. Philip Ellis(NYSUT)at South Orangetown yesterday. He is a terrific speaker. Did you know that inclusion has no legal definition--it is a concept. In addition to the many inclusion issues, he assured teachers that they have legal grounds when district engages in violation of IDEA and state regs. He advised the teachers to carry a copy of the Part 200 Regulation with them to CSE meetings to ensure the rights of the children were protected. He spoke of the systematic dumping of children in g neral education classrooms in the name of inclusion without adequate support. He also stressed that the teacher is not solely responsible for the education of a child without the necessary support services in place. I checked out the AASA link. It is very interesting. Legislative Alerts have informative articles--Parental Feedom of Infomation Act is worth reading. I wish all school were like Fairfax County.

Webcommittee member - 05/20/98 11:14:58 My URL:http://www.aasa.org

Comments: To the concerned citizen, thank-you for sharing the administrator site. I will add it to our links.

concerned citizen - 05/19/98 14:52:26

Comments: Just so you can see, The web address for the American Association of School Administrators is at http://www.aasa.org

Erin deWard, YAI/RCALD - 05/18/98 18:57:51 My Email:Edcomcor@aol.com

Comments: You all have the start of a really terrific site! I will reccommend it to parents and professionals alike. If we all work together, we can help eachother to be as educated as possible. Keep up the great work!

Special Parent - 05/17/98 14:07:55

Comments: I agree with the last comment. We, the parents, do not fault the teachers. They are never included in decision making. They are often asked to redesign their philosophies simply to accommodate the wimps of the administrators and board of ed. members. f they could advocate for our children they would--unfortunately their jobs would be on the line. So much for open communication!

- 05/15/98 22:38:13

Comments: I hope that the "parent" realizes that this site isn't anything about a district at all. It is just useful information that every parents should have access too. This is a "Civics" page to me. Remember children with disabilities are not equal players in school without the extra support and modifications. We are just trying to give our children a equal chance to compete. As for the district that my children go to school in, My children have som awesome teachers. They work hard, are dedicated, and I know that they try hard with the deck of cards that they are dealt. One teacher who isn't even my childs teacher has a special wonderful relationship with him. She means so much to my son. They don't choose the curriculum,reading programs, scheduling, amount of supplementary aides and services available to them. It is hard for them to advocate for the kids when they have to answer to a administrator. That is where we must come in.

Special Parent - 05/15/98 18:25:44

Comments: Let's give credit where credit is due. Okay, which board member, administrator, or principal would like to step forward to take credit for my child who can't read and is about to graduate.

Parent - 05/15/98 15:33:15

Comments: I think the District is doing a great job educating the children. Let's give credit where credit is due

Webcommittee member - 05/14/98 15:19:00 My Email:nanuetpar@hotmail.com

Comments: I am looking forward to getting new posting!!! Send them over.

Elaine Duddy - 05/13/98 21:54:58 My Email:tomelaine@juno.com

Comments: Good Work. We have some great stuff for posting to the web for you.

E. Istorico - 05/07/98 12:42:46 Comments: Catherine McHugh from New York State Office of Quality Assurance was at Dominican College to give a workshop on the Special Education and the legal issues which are a concern to many parents, advocates, teachers,and other professionals who work within the educational system. As per Catherine McHugh,if the recommodations of your child's teacher is indicated as no change in program, then the present program is to REMAIN in place. For example, if your child is in a pull out resourse program and the teacher oes not want a change to the program, the child must remain in the pull out program regardless of what the district has in mind. Their scheduling is not to override the recommodations of the teachers. In addition to all of this, Catherine McHugh also st ted the "systematic dumping" of children into the mainstream classroom is the result of incentive aid given by the state to each school district for declassifing a child or removing pull out program. Where is the needs of the child in this equation. In ssence, there is no safety net for our children if there isn't any alternative to the classroom--what type of evaluation is in place to measure the effectiveness of a "new program." As stated in Part 200--resource room is a supplemental aid--requires a m nimum of three (3)hours(not one hour like the district is purposing) and a small supportive group with a ratio of five (5)students to one (1) teacher. Consultant services does not have the small group setting--the ratio of 5:1 does not exist and the s rvice could be direct or indirect. Therefore, if parents were led to believe they are going to receive the same service as they are presently getting check your IEP. The ratio is the key to making sure your child does receive the individual attention an check the rationale paragraph. Three hours of combine service is not legal and the district must apply for an innovative program waiver. BUT REMEMBER THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD ARE TO BE PRIMARY--NOT A SCHEDULE OR ENROLLMENT ISSUES. You must ask yourself- WHY IS MY CHILD'S SERVICE CHANGING IN SEPTEMBER--BECAUSE HIS/HER NEEDS HAVE CHANGED OR NOW THE DISTRICT WANTS TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IT IS THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD WHICH IS THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF ANY CSE MEETING WHEN THE IEP IS DEVELOPED. Who is responsible for ensuring that the Federal and State laws are followed? The answer is...the administration of each school district, which would include the CSE chair and any one who chair a sub-CSE. Remember--the unique needs of the child determines the placement/program/service--not the schedule, enrollment issues, budgetary concerns, staffing,etc... Catherine McHugh will be back at Dominican College at the HENNESSEY CENTER next Wednesday, May 13 from 12-4 and again from 6-10--come hear her speak the IEP process, the service a school must give a student, the IDEA VIOLATION WHICH HAVE BECOME A COMM N PRACTICE BY MANY SCHOOLS, question and answers to all your concerns. - 05/01/98 23:59:51 My URL:http://www.asri.edu/CFSP/brochure/acountib.htm Comments: Accountability in Inclusion - 05/01/98 23:46:48 My URL:http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/legal.html Comments: Legal aspects of inclusion - 05/01/98 23:41:05 My URL:http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/ Comments: There is info on cooperative teaching in this site. - 05/01/98 23:33:57 My URL:http://www.nysut.org/NS/GetLHP?url=%2fdept%2fnyt%2farchive%2f970407inclusion.html&terms=teach Comments: Check out this article on inclusion from the NYS Teachers Union E. Istorico - 05/01/98 12:25:06 Comments: New York State has agreed to investigate the district for various non-compliance complaints. If any parent feels their children's rights have been violated and want to join a group of parents filing with the state--please make contact in confidence. Libby - 04/27/98 00:51:19 My Email:LTulin Comments: I can't get very far on this web site yet I was told there was a lot re: Nanuet and new policy with inclusion. I am a member of district with designated kids. Please e-mail A mom - 04/26/98 13:04:04 My URL:http://www.bazelon.org/ Comments: Here is a link to the Bazelon Center. They advocate for children with mental illness or any behaviorial issues due to there disability. We all live with this if we have children that ar LD. The latest and greatest is on this site. check it out. The Webcommittee - 04/26/98 12:12:28 My Email:nanuetpar@hotmail.com Comments: Would anyone be interested in a Parents Rights Workshop and Self-Advocacy training? We can organize one. Anyone interested you can send me mail here or if you have needy friends that do not have email just drop me a line. Another Inhabitant - 04/26/98 12:07:41 Comments: I have another take on this. We all have to be proactive and literate. If we all work together for the best interest of all our children things will get better. It is hard work. There are some very good laws protecting our children and we have to make ure that they are enforced. Read the New York Regs, the Federal Regs, ADA, 504. This is a democracy but we will lose our rights if we don't make sure that they are followed. That is what has happen here in my opinion. This can change if you stand up f r your rights as a parent and a citizen of New York and the USA. The laws are on the books already. Someone else did alot of work to get them there. Lets keep them on the books by having them enforced. Nanuet Inhabitant - 04/26/98 04:54:35 Comments: It was troubling to me to see the scores in some academic areas against comparable schools in the NEW YORK STATE REPORT CARD, especially in reading.I hope that change is on the horizon. A. Gillingham - 04/26/98 02:00:18 Comments: If a district decides to combine services, such as consultant and resource room, they must apply for an innovative program waiver from NY State Education Department. Resource Room--state regs mandate the service cannot be less than three hours and the rat o of students to teacher is 5:1, Consultant services may be indirect or direct--consultant may have up to 20 students--if district exceeds the legal limit they must apply for a variance and the parents must be NOTIFIED. Did you know under Part 100.11 if program is develop it must involve parties with a vested interest, this would include administrator, TEACHERS AND PARENTS--of course at my school the TEACHERS AND PARENTS WERE ELIMINATED FROM THE PROCESS. I guess it is not too hard to guess why. Remember parents, it is up to you to know the difference between consultant service, indirect/direct service or resource room--the regulations where this is stated is Part 200 under consultant service and resource room. The more you know the better off yo r child will be. DID YOU KNOW IF A DISTRICT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONs THEY JEOPARDIZE LOSING THEIR STATE AND LOCAL AID. Non compliance means no MONEY! A mom - 04/26/98 00:10:46 My URL:http://www.nysed.gov/stateaid/dist/a500108.html Comments: Click for State Aid figures. A mom - 04/25/98 00:59:25 My URL:http://www.fcsn.org/pledge.htm Comments: This is a great letter to send to Riley supporting IDEA. A mom - 04/24/98 21:47:26 Comments: The Gregg ammendment was withdrawn. I saw this in Exceptional Children link Jackie Weissman - 04/24/98 19:18:33 My URL:http://www.mentor-media.com My Email:jackiew@edpro.com Comments: To whom it my concern, I was wondering if you would be interested in linking your site to our site called Parenting on the Go. Parenting on the Go gives advice to parents about issues of family guidance and discipline. Please take a look at Parenting on the Go at www.mentor-media.com and let me know if you think it would be an appropriate link for your web site. Thank you very much for your time. Jackie Weissman A mom - 04/24/98 11:44:22 My URL:http://www.nichcy.org/index.html Comments: Here is a link to NICHCY. A Mom - 04/23/98 21:38:06 My URL:http://www.nichcy.org/Trainpkg/trainpkg.htm Comments: The IDEA 97 training pack is available here from OSEP. Here is the link. a Mom - 04/20/98 17:15:45 My URL:http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP/telelist.html Comments: Here is a telephone list of OSER phone numbers. If you need help A Mom - 04/20/98 11:22:15 My URL:http://www.nysed.gov/vesid/special.html Comments: Here is a list of New York State Regional Offices for Special Education and the Quality Assurance corrdinator if anyone needs some help. The Webcommittee - 04/19/98 23:26:10 My URL:http://www.cec.sped.org/pp/alert4-8.htm Comments: Check out this alert. you can send a letter from here via email to your senator. The have a sample letter. a Mom - 04/19/98 19:03:31 My URL:98prile1.html Comments: Here is a list of upcoming legislation in NYS. The Education was suppose to be updated to conform to IDEA in March according to this document. a Mom - 04/19/98 18:59:41 My URL:phonenum.html Comments: Here is a list of phone numbers of individuals in the NYS Education Department A Teacher - 04/18/98 16:33:52 My URL:http://www.nysut.org/index.html Comments: Here is a link to The New York State Teachers Union. I hope this will be helpful. Joe Barra - 04/15/98 21:37:03 My Email:jbarra@datavox.com Comments: I woiuld like to relocate to Nanuet and would like to learn more about the area. If you know of a good realtor and have any information about the schools it would be greatly apprieciated Joe Barra a mom - 04/13/98 01:38:20 Comments: Happy holidays to everyone! I think it would be great to set up a chat night here at Geocities. Is anyone interested? I was thinking Thursday night at 9:00 pm would be good. Just post a note here if you would like to meet. A. Gillingham - 04/09/98 15:48:31 Comments: I am very concerned about a conversation I had with a parent. She stated that at her IEP: No one could answer how the testing modification were to be handled, how the service were suppose to be delivered, who is keeping track of time of consultants, what is the difference between resource time and cons ltant time, etc. My response is this: Make sure that indirect or direct consultant service is written into your IEP. Understand the different. If consultant services are indicated on the IEP the frequency and duration must be indicated also. You have the right to rejec the program designed for your child--do not sign the IEP--if you are not asked for a signature then write a letter stating you do not agree with the IEP. You are on the last IEP you agreed too. They cannot change your program without your consent!!! Pare ts cannot assume the district is going to tell them everything. A consultant teacher may be in the same room as your child but it does not mean he/she is getting direct consultant service unless you specify it on your IEP. Part 200 of the New York Stat Regulation will provide the law and David Diamond will fill in what is not clear 245-0010. If what you are hearing doesn't make sense--go to another source other than the district. HAS ANYONE EVER WONDERED WHY THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IS NOT USING THE CURRENT INCLUSION SETTING AT THE ELEMENTARY AS THEIR MODEL? - 04/08/98 02:03:13 My URL:http://www.lrp.com/eaonews/Static/rregbody.htm Comments: Here is a copy of the draft regulations for IDEA (k-12) Regulation 300. - 04/08/98 01:58:20 Comments: I am enjoying the thought provoking posts that are appearing on this bulletin board. Keep up the good work! And remember that you, as parents, know whats right for your kids. Teachers and administrators, no matter how well-intentioned they might be, a e often motivated by other factors, including budgetary and scheduling constraints, when making educational decisions that will affect your children. You must carefully police programs to make sure that these concerns never overshadow the real purpose fo the development of program. In order to do this, become informed. Ask direct questions and refer to the state regulations whenever possible when asking these questions. Knowledge is power. If we expect our kids to do their homework, should we expect ess of ourselves? The webcommittee - 04/08/98 00:38:15 My Email:nanuetpar@hotmail.com Comments: Sure, I will post a form. Let me know what you want on it and then we will have a list of who would want to participate. Sounds great!!!! A Nanuet Parent - 04/08/98 00:34:54 Comments: I would love to work on a parent organization. North Rockland has one. Look at the North Rockland link. We could do alot of great things for our kids. That is what this is all about. Getting our children educated so they can live prosperous and happy lives. Lets set up a organizational meeting. Maybe the webmaster could make a survey form then we could start a group? - 04/08/98 00:25:26 My URL:http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/talk.htm Comments: A. Gillingham made a good point about books on tape. New York has a free program that the district can subscribe to to get classroom materials ready for there LD students. I included the link. If you want leisure material for your child then you can also order it through this agency but your school books should be supplied by the district as I understand. Isn't it great living in New York. They already have this set-up for us. Nanuet Parent - 04/08/98 00:22:53 Comments: I just found you. I am so glad there is something for the parent. PS WE Can is not a parent support group. I hope that we could start something at Nanuet--other districts have parent groups run by parents. Please see if others would like to start some hing and put it on the bulletin board. Thanks for starting this--now we can come together and hold the district accountable for their actions. A. Gillingham - 04/08/98 00:03:58 Comments: I don't fault the teachers but the administration--they know what the law is and they know non-compliance means revocation of state and federal aid. Non-compliance are things like: IEP's not distributed to personnel involved with classified students, if teacher is unaware of what is contained in the IEP the school is not in compliance, consultant teachers case load exceeding legal limit of 20 except i the case of a waiver request (KIM SMITH will be able to tell you if Yyour school applied for one 914 245-0010), Resource exceeds 20 except in the case of secondary education maximum is 25 (if there is a middle school this includes 6 through 12) therefo e age determines the number of cases. There are plenty of other issues which parents need to be aware of. Parents cannot help their children if they do not understand the disability or the laws which govern this small group of individuals. In addition, the district, not the parent is responsible for obtaining books on tape, material which is necessary to accommodate the child within the classroom setting. If you have been told otherwise, the information is incorrect and the district is loo ing keep the special education budget down. This is discrimination against persons with disabilities--there isn't any regular ed. student whose parents are told they need to get materials such textbooks for their children. Check with David Diamond from st te ed. dept. 914 245-0010. A.GILLINGHAM - 04/07/98 23:42:53 Comments: In response to Norma. Yes the district is out of compliance at times. Unfortunately, some teachers do not even realize this because they are not familiar with the law. - 04/07/98 17:31:28 Comments: Teenagers with ADD, 12 week workshop. Dr. Alan Levy Crossfields West Nyack Suite 415 12 sessions April 20th 6PM Call 358-4212 for information Norma - 04/07/98 14:20:06 Comments: It is unclear how a District can blatantly continue to be out of compliance with so many regs. It would be in the best interest of our children if every parent understood all of the law which governs special education. The district counts on parents not knowing the regulations. Understanding the IEP process, teacher certification, due process will empower the parents to get the appropiate programs for their children. If this district expects every child to meet the high standards set by the Board of Regents, the school cannot ive them a stool to get there. It is time for parents to finally take a strong stand and no longer tolerate mediocre education. Norma - 04/07/98 14:10:15 Comments: Norma - 04/07/98 14:10:14 Comments: - 04/07/98 13:50:00 Comments: Does anyone know: 1. Are any teachers are 80.7 certified in reading in the district? If so, who are they? 2. Are any teachers certified to teach multisensory reading at the specified level? 3. What does mimimal progress mean to you? - 04/07/98 12:16:01 Comments: In order for the best practice model to work, (see below). The regular ed teacher needs to training and resources and enough consult time right!. We have to make sure that this happens. If not, the child loses and the conclusion will be made that the ch ld will need to be placed in a more restrictive enviorment, not that the classroom enviorment needs to be changed. We need to make sure that all the components in the inclusion model are in place before we make judgements about the childs placement. Who s going to police this? The parents, principal, sped director? The school committees needs to recognize this when they work on the budgets. This isn't trivial. - 04/07/98 02:06:55 Comments: - 04/07/98 01:48:19 Comments: Your question about the inability to place students in RR is a good one to bring up at the next meeting at the middle school. The current thinking of inclusionists is that special education does not have to occur in a particular "place". If teachers con ult with a specialist and utilize the best teaching technigues, they will be able to meet the needs of all students. I'm not saying I agree with this, but that is the philosophy. - 04/06/98 12:04:42 Comments: I agree with the person regarding placement based on the IEP. I went to a meeting regarding the middle school. I thought it was strange that they decided to delete resource room based on overcrowding. If a student required resource room to meet the goal in the IEP, how can this happen? - 04/05/98 02:04:45 Comments: In response to Nanuet Parent regarding techguide: I would have to agree with you. If in fact the IEP must be developed before placement decisions are made then it seems that Nanuet is out of compliance. - 04/04/98 13:08:33 My URL:http://www.npnd.org/IDEAHOME.htm Comments: I got this in my mail. Attempts in the U.S. Senate to amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 have prompted Senator Jeffords and Congressman Goodling to schedule a joint hearing on IDEA proposed regulations. The hearing, to beheld April 22, 1998, will allow the stakeholders to tell Congress their opinionon the proposed IDEA regulations. Here are current events regarding IDEA. steve kurtz - 04/03/98 02:42:06 My Email:kurtzface@aol.com Comments: so glad to see you up and running - 04/01/98 22:38:53 My URL:techguide.html Comments: Please look at techguide. This is a result of a OSEP audit in 1995. Some of these look familiar. Does anyone else? - 04/01/98 21:19:24 Comments: Does anyone's town in New york use sub-CSE meetings for annual reviews. I was told that they can only make changes in the same level of services? That means they have already wrote the IEP before the meeting. Aren't they suppose to write the IEP at the meeting? Does anyone have this experience in your town. - 04/01/98 21:16:29 Comments: Our town in New York doesn't ask for our signature on the IEP at the yearly review. Does anyone have experience with this issue in New York. Other states require a signature. Any comment? The webcommittee - 04/01/98 02:23:29 My Email:nanuetpar@hotmail.com Comments: Please send any notices and upcoming events to me and I'll post it on the bulletin board. Kathy - 03/30/98 00:24:43 My Email:Katht@prodigy.net Comments: Hello! I can't seem to access your bulletin board. Is it up and running? I would love to see what's going on and perhaps contribute. Thanks. Carol - 03/29/98 07:30:50 My Email:nineline@frontiernet.net Comments: Keep me posted. I have my child's case in the Appeals Court in Albany. I'd like to be a support for other parents. I've been around the mountain. The Webcommittee - 02/24/98 20:18:11 My Email:nanuetpar@hotmail.com Comments: Thanks for visiting our site. I can't wait to start our chat group. 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